War veteran recalls seeing Royal Family on VE Day

Tara Dolby
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Joyce Goulborn Head and shoulders image of a smiling 20 year old woman with curled hair taken in 1943Joyce Goulborn
Joyce Goulborn was 20 when she joined the women's branch of the British Army

A World War Two veteran said she would never forget watching the Royal Family waving from the balcony at Buckingham Palace on VE Day.

Joyce Goulborn, 101, was working as a telephone switchboard operator in London when Winston Churchill made a radio announcement on 8 May 1945 to say war in Europe had come to an end.

She headed to the palace with a friend as soon as her shift finished and managed to get a spot in front of the railings.

"We had a front-row seat to see the King, the Queen and the two Princesses, it was such a celebration. There was a big party happening in Trafalgar Square later but I had to be back on duty. There was still a job to be done," she said.

An elderly lady with white hair, glasses and a blue patterned dress smiling into the camera. In her hand is a photograph album showing images of her and her friends 80 years ago.
Joyce Goulborn, 101, now lives in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

Huge crowds gathered and cheered as King George VI and his family, including Princess Elizabeth, came out onto the balcony and waved.

Ms Goulborn served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women's branch of the British Army, and was living in London at the time but now lives in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.

"I kept applying to sign up for service but every time I filled in the form, my father would burn it in the fire," she explained.

"When I was finally conscripted in 1943, he no longer had a choice and I was able to go off and do my basic training."

She was sent to Devon, where she was trained as a telephone switchboard operator.

Getty Images The King,  Queen and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are smiling from the Royal Balcony at Buckingham Palace.  King George VI and Princess Elizabeth are wearing military uniform.  The Queen and Princess Margaret are dressed formally.Getty Images
Princess Elizabeth, the Queen, King George VI and Princess Margaret on the Royal Balcony at Buckingham Palace

"The war was a very difficult time but it taught me so much," she said.

"With many men fighting overseas, I was given the opportunity to take on roles that were not previously open to me.

"It gave me confidence and independence. I knew I could cope with different situations and that I could do what was asked of me."

The government announced there would be a four-day celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day from 5 May, including a flypast, concert and a Westminster Abbey service.

Joyce Goulborn Two smiling woman with dark hair, both wearing a shirt, tie and army jacket.







 Joyce Goulborn
Joyce Goulborn (right) and her friend Daphne

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